Wars, serious illness, wildfires, and job termination are events that can lead to significant loss. These situations can result in a stress response even if there is no direct impact on an individual. “No matter who you are, or where you live, there is a heaviness to these periods,” says the clinical director of Columbia University Psychiatry Specialty Services.
Grief is an emotional response to loss that can overwhelm both body and mind with feelings of sorrow, shock, and disbelief. Dr. Engle explains how grief affects the body and suggests ways to cope with this challenging emotion.
Loss refers to losing someone or something important. It may arise from various circumstances such as the death of a loved one or job loss. People do not need to experience loss directly to understand it; many empathize with distant losses like natural disasters due to their own attachments.
The emotional pain of grief can be intense and come in waves. Individuals may react differently to the same loss, experiencing varying degrees of grief.
Grief activates several brain regions involved in managing emotions like fear and sadness. It also impacts chemicals in the brain by increasing cortisol levels while decreasing dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins—chemicals associated with happiness and social connection.
To cope with grief effectively, individuals should allow themselves to experience their emotions fully rather than suppressing them. Avoidance can lead to prolonged distress and difficulties processing loss.
Children also navigate various emotions during times of loss. Dr. Engle recommends approaches for caregivers and parents seeking to comfort them.
When faced with tragic events that change the world around us, mental health can be affected significantly. Discussing these experiences with trusted individuals or mental health professionals supports healthy coping mechanisms.
Dr. Engle is an associate professor of medical psychology at Columbia University and serves as the clinical director at Columbia University Psychiatry Specialty Services at the Neurological Institute.
